Miriam J Designs Presented at Fashion Week

April 7, 2008 - Valley Center
by Helen Yoder Capping a week of food, fun and fashion, the red carpet runway show "Life, Love & Fashion" presented by Downtown Escondido's Fashion Week will feature Valley Center resident designer Miriam Splane of Miriam J Designs. The show will be choreographed in multiple acts, highlighting the stages of life, and will feature not only Miriam J, but Ricky Lizalde (of Project Runway) and Susanti (bridal and evening wear designer). The Grande Finale of Fashion Week is Saturday, May 10 from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

"Miriam's designs are beautiful and upscale; they balance out the other fashions that will be seen during this week", said Debra Rosen, CEO of the Downtown Business Association in Escondido. Inspired by the annual Palm Desert Fashion Week, the DBA hopes to showcase the moods and trends of the moment while offering the opportunity to explore the many shopping and dining venues downtown Escondido has to offer.

Fashion Week runs from May 6 through May 10 and will be held at the former H. Johnson building located at 131 South Broadway. For more information, call (760) 745-8877 or visit www.fashionweekdowntown.com

TV Spotlight - FOX 6 San Diego

Head to Toe Women's Expo at the Del Mar Fairgrounds
Airing Sunday April 6
- TV Script as follows -
This fledgling company, a little over two years old, is located in Valley Center in San Diego County. It is the design studio of Miriam Splane. She commutes regularly to the Los Angeles office is in the garment district, where she meets with LA designer Barbara Blatz Stone. Together they scour LA's every nook and cranny for unique and quality- driven resources, to produce all facets of Miriam J exclusive designs.

This morning we have a few pieces from the Miriam J collection.

Joey is wearing the Miriam J asymmetric silk burn-out top. The casual elegance and feminine softness reflects the graciousness and sensory beauty that Miriam J designs evoke. This garment transitions between daytime and night time wear with a few changes, such as the underpinnings, jewelry, hair and make-up. Joey may decide to wear this top to work tomorrow, pairing it with a knit tank top and jeans.

Marcy is wearing the Miriam J Coronado Lace smocked jacket. This design, as with all of the pieces in the Miriam J collection, is simply timeless and romantic. The look is smooth and flowing, the fabrics move with you as if it becomes a part of you.

Both Joey and Marcy are wearing Miriam J camis, which are LA originals. From the soft drape of the fabric, to the unique trim detail, these knit tops fit like a dream.

Miriam J has resisted the temptation to mass produce overseas because of the conviction that they must support the local talents of the artisans here in California. In doing so, every possible aspect of the production of the collection gives this small company the advantage of design innovation and unsurpassed quality.

Valley Center Designer wins raves for her natural-fabric creations

The San Diego Union-Tribune Friday March 7th, 2008
by Cheryl Walker

The art of design seems to run in the Splane family. Miriam J. Splane, 52, has helped her husband with his industrial product design business, Splane Design Associates, Inc., for 24 years. Now she's a designer in her own right with a new clothing line.
"I've been waiting to do something on my own," said Splane, who has lived in Valley Center for four years. "It's been something of a challenge."
Splane designs tank tops, camisoles and jackets made using only natural fabrics-silk, cotton and linen. The clothing line, which is labeled MiriamJ, is made in the Los Angeles Garment District.
"I have a small office there," Splane said. "I like utilizing the talent I find in Los Angeles."
So far the only place in San Diego County where Splane's creations are sold is at Miss Ellie's Country Lace, 29115 Valley Center Road, Suite J, Valley Center.

"She is a new designer and I really wanted to help her out," said Ellie Wilkerson, owner of the shop. "They're beautiful and they feel really good when you put them on."
Tank tops, camisoles and kimono-type jackets come in all colors. Some of the jackets are full sleeve and some are ¾-arm length.
"They're all different," Wilkerson said. "Trimming and fabric is all handpicked by Miriam."

The tank tops start at $75 and the jackets are in the $350 range. Splane was recently approached by an owner of a Los Angeles boutique after she spotted one of her designs.
"I sold one to a woman who wore it to an opera," Splane said. "She said dozens of women clamored around her to find out where she got it."
She has one frustration working in the world of design.
"It's fast-paced," Splane said. "Other designers create fast and crank it out. I've been told I'm putting too much into it, but I prefer it that way."
Her favorite part of the business is interacting with other designers.
"I love working with other artists and seeing the results of a group of people (working) together," Splane said. "I guess I like the social aspect."
Splane's designs have had the seal of approval from her 13- and 17-year-old daughters.
"I have friends, who both mother and daughter wear them, which is really nice," Splane said.

Splane is working on expanding her line to dresses and pants, which she hopes to have by May 10th for downtown Escondido's Fashion Week. Her clothing can also be purchased online at miriamj.com. Although Splane says it's difficult when her designs are rejected by sales representatives, the sting goes away when she receives a compliment from a costumer.
"In the end, if a teenage girl loves her mom's new outfit and wants to borrow it, I think that's the purest compliment I can receive."

Cheryl Walker: (760)752-6761
cheryl.walker@tlnews.net

Miriam J Collection
Where: Miss Ellie's Country Lace, 29115
Rancho Benardo Winery, Suite J, Rancho Bernardo, CA
Information: (760) 751-9418, www.miriamj.com

LA Couture Comes to Valley Center

Valley Roadrunner January, 2008 - Valley Center

Looking for something unique to wear but don't want to drive to Los Angeles or San Diego? Los Angeles designer Miriam Splane brings her fashions to North County with the launch of a new line of women's apparel debuting at Miss Ellie's Country Lace. Under the label Miriam J, the designs evoke the free-flowing southern California style infused with romance and glamour.

"The romantic, flowing, vintage feel of Miriam J is a perfect fit for Mss Ellie's. We are very excited to provide this type of quality boutique wear for our local clients and for all women in the North County area", states owner, Ellie Wilkerson.
Valley Center continues to experience a renaissance of sorts with the influx of new residents coming from the San Diego and Los Angeles urban art centers. "Artists like me can renourish and revitalize ourselves in this beautiful area" says Miriam Splane.

Mss Ellie's Country Lace boutique is located at 29115 Valley Center Rd, Valley Center, CA 92082. (760) 751-9418

ABOUT MIRIAM J
Under the leadership of designer Miriam Splane, the Miriam J Collection is the result of collaboration amongst several artisans. Using only natural fabrics (silk, cotton, linen), the entire line of clothing is made in the Los Angeles garment district. Miriam J is known for its combination of sensuous fabrics, fine detailing and versatile designs that make the leap from casual to cocktail depending on the woman's mood.

Miriam J Designs is located at 112 West 9th Street, Suite 6, Los Angeles, CA 90015. (760) 749-6068 www.miriamj.com